Obituary of Sr. Mary Charitas Marcotte

Sister Mary Charitas Marcotte, Sister of MercySister Charitas, 91, died peacefully on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung, NJ.Sister Charitas was born in Woodcrest, NJ. She attended St. Rose of Lima School, Haddon Heights and Camden Catholic HS. In 1934, she entered the Sisters of Mercy. She earned a BS degree in Natural Sciences from Georgian Court College, Lakewood, and a MS degree in Organic Chemistry from Fordham University.Sister Charitas' early ministry was in teaching on the primary level at St. Joseph School, Trenton and then on the secondary level at Red Bank Catholic. She was then appointed principal of Cathedral HS in Trenton. After serving as principal for 11 years she was elected Mother General of the Sisters of Mercy of New Jersey. Under her leadership many changes occurred. There were additional members added to the Sister Formation Program, renovations at Mount Saint Mary, Watchung and the opening of 2 missions in Costa Rica. Sister Charitas also initiated a study of the charism of Venerable Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, in accordance with the directives of the Second Vatican Council calling for a spirit of adaptation and renewal of religious life. She was an exemplary leader for the Sisters of Mercy.After leaving office, she became co-director with Father Richard Brietske of the newly established Office of Evangelization in the Trenton Diocese. She was also invited to co-chair the steering committee for the centenary observance of the Trenton Diocese. After that she joined the Center for Human Development in Washington, DC.When she returned to New Jersey, she became coordinator of Renew at the Nativity Parish, Fair Haven. Following that position, she was appointed pastoral associate of evangelization for the parish. She then took time off to study at Washington Theological Union, Silver Spring, MD.She again returned to NJ when she was asked to serve as chairperson of the rules committee for the Trenton Diocese fourth synod.In 1992 Sister Charitas went to Saint James Convent, Red Bank where she continued to minister to the people in the parish and share her mercy values.Before she retired to McAuley hall Health Care Center, Watchung, she was honored at the Friends of Mercy Dinner Dance in Atlantic City. It was noted at the dinner "Sister Charitas was the most single minded person I have ever known. To have integrity, a person must possess three qualities. She needs a will that is committed to standing for something, the courage to take a stand and the intelligence to see what is in harmony or not in harmony with her beliefs. Sister Charitas had all of these qualities."She is survived by two brothers John Marcotte and his wife Ginny of CA and William Marcotte of VA and many loving and caring nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.Wednesday, September 16 Visitation will take place at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung from 5:00 to 8:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:30 PM. Thursday, September 17, 2009 Visitation will take place at Mount Saint Mary - Immaculate Conception Chapel from 9:00 to 10:30 AM followed by Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 AM. Burial in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, NJ.Memorial Contributions may be made to Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community 1645 Highway 22, Watchung, NJ 07069